NBA DFS Starting 5 October 21: Zion Williamson Follows Up Pelicans Return Against Hornets Tonight
Published: Oct 21, 2022
We have 11 games on the docket for tonight's DFS NBA lineups. We have to remember not to overreact too much to what we saw from NBA players in just one basketball game from the season openers this week. Be careful with those lower-valued players who shined in Game 1 of the NBA season as they could draw a tougher matchup for the second game. We have plenty of NBA DFS picks and top plays to target, including Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Players inactive tonight include Zach LaVine, LaMelo Ball, and Myles Turner. Be sure to check out the latest NBA betting odds, the NBA starting lineups, our NBA daily projections, and the NBA DFS lineup generator. Here’s tonight’s NBA DFS Starting 5 for the best picks and plays for daily fantasy basketball lineups on Friday, October 21st.
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Player News
Trae Young (Achilles) is available for Tuesday’s game against the Magic.
As expected, Young has been upgraded from probable to available for Tuesday’s 7/8 Play-In tournament matchup. He’ll occupy his usual role within the Hawks’ starting lineup. The winner of Tuesday’s game will face Boston in the first round, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday. The loser will host the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between Miami and Chicago on Friday for the eighth seed in the East.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports the Suns are expected to offer Devin Booker a contract extension this summer.
Phoenix’s disappointing 2024-25 season ended with a loss to Sacramento on Sunday, and head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired the following day. Booker may be the only “safe” player on the roster in what should be a busy summer for the franchise. He’s eligible to sign an extension worth $ 149.8 million over two seasons, and according to Windhorst, the Suns intend to offer their star guard that deal. With Phoenix not having control of its first-round pick for the rest of the decade, they’ll likely have to part with Kevin Durant or Bradley Beal (or both) to change the roster’s makeup significantly.
On Tuesday, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Jericho Sims (thumb) should be available for the team’s first-round series against the Pacers.
Sims suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb in mid-March, with the team giving him a four-week timeline after undergoing surgery. The reserve center participated in most of Tuesday’s practice, sparking optimism that he will be available. However, with Brook Lopez due to play most of the minutes and Bobby Portis back from his 25-game suspension, there won’t be many minutes available to Sims.
Dalen Terry (calf) is probable for Wednesday’s game against the Heat.
Terry has been one of the Bulls’ key bench players in recent weeks and has a good chance to be one of the first players off the pine on Wednesday. However, he’s unlikely to have significant impact in such an important game.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Bulls.
Larsson is looking to return from a three-game layoff while Jovic hasn’t played since February. The Heat could need to rely on Haywood Highsmith, Kyle Anderson, and Jaime Jaquez off the bench if Larsson and Jovic are ruled out.
Josh Giddey (wrist) says he plans on playing in Wednesday’s game against the Heat.
Giddey plans on returning from a two-game layoff against the Heat for Wednesday’s play-in game.